Jaguar News
Jaguar Returns To Le Mans
Jaguar RSR Le Mans 24 Hours Update >>
Jaguar is racing at the famous Le Mans 24 hours this year, and it promises to be an exciting return from the most successful British marque in Le Mans 24 hours history. With 7 wins between 1951 and 1990, the Jaguar team are hoping for a repeat performance in 2010 with the JaguarRSR XKR GT.
The race weekend, which runs from Friday 11th June to Sunday 13th June begins with the Drivers’ Parade; the first chance to see the drivers up-close before the race. The race itself which is in its 78th year starts at 15:00 CET (14:00) GMT on Saturday 12th June.
Jaguar is not only proud to be taking part once again, but delighted to be racing with an international line-up of the world’s finest driving talent, including Scott Pruett and Marc Goossens.
Managing Director of Jaguar, Mike O’Driscoll, said: “Motorsport has always been important to Jaguar. As we look to the future with our new range of high performance ‘R’ branded cars – the XKR and XFR – we aim to make the Jaguar brand synonymous with motorsport once again. It’s good to be back.”
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Jaguar 75 Years Looking Forward
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Jaguar name, and 75 years of looking forward, designing and building cars that represent the very best of technical innovation, design leadership and sporting success.
Mike O'Driscoll, Managing Director of Jaguar Cars, said: "In 2010 we celebrate our past, and 75 years of designing and building cars that celebrate the art of automobile making. We're also celebrating the promise of the future, and the introduction of the all-new XJ. In just three years we've completely revitalized the Jaguar line-up with the launch of three beautiful fast cars".
Over the years Jaguar has built some of the world's most iconic cars; the XK120, introduced in the late 1940s, was an instant sensation and the most glamorous sports car of the period; the C Type and D Type race cars that followed, dominated motor racing in the 1950s; the E-Type, launched in the heady 1960s, has been called the most beautiful car ever built and it defined a whole generation. Sports cars have always defined Jaguar, but the Company has also built some of the Industry's most memorable sedans, such as the Mark II in the early 1960's and the renowned XJ range.
During the year Jaguar will celebrate our 75th anniversary at some of the world's most glamorous automotive settings, including the Goodwood Festival of Speed and Revival in the UK; the Concours D’Elegance at Pebble Beach in the US and at the Mille Miglia classic in Italy. Jaguar is also returning to the racetrack with its new JaguarRSR XKR GT2 and will compete in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS).
Jaguar Academy of Sport launched by living legends of British sport
The Jaguar Academy of Sport was launched in London on the 4th March 2010 by Sir Ian Botham, Gareth Edwards CBE, Dame Kelly Holmes DBE, Denise Lewis OBE, Sir Steve Redgrave and supported by David Beckham OBE by video message. These legends of British sport are the Patrons of the Jaguar Academy of Sport, which aims to recognise, celebrate and inspire the very best of British sporting talent and success.
The Jaguar Academy will fulfill this aim through a Bursary Fund which will support new British sporting talent, a prestigious annual Awards Ceremony, a unique club of the best of British sport which will be used to inspire the next generation and a vibrant website celebrating British sporting talent and achievement www.jaguaracademyofsport.co.uk
At the heart of the Jaguar Academy is a Bursary Fund that will support the development of young British sporting talent. All sports will be considered and the beneficiaries will be those who demonstrate the greatest potential, real dedication to their sport and an outstanding desire to succeed. The Jaguar Academy will work closely with charity SportsAid using their proven process and expertise to ensure the very best talent is identified and supported. The final decision on the successful athletes nominated for a Bursary will be made by the Patrons of the Jaguar Academy of Sport, some of the nation’s most successful sportsmen and women. Over time it is hoped this fund will help to develop the next generation of British sporting champions. The first beneficiaries of the Jaguar Academy Bursary Fund will be announced in the next few months.
Jaguar to support Team Sky Pro Cycling
Jaguar Cars will be the official car supplier to Team Sky, the new British pro-cycling road racing team. As well as moving the team to and from events and training, the Jaguar fleet will also be called to duty as support cars in the iconic road races - joining riders and support crew from Team Sky as they compete in the toughest competitions.
Geoff Cousins – Managing Director, Jaguar Cars UK, said: "Jaguar and Team Sky are all about the best of British, so the opportunity to partner with this exciting new team and to help them challenge for the greatest prize in professional cycling was too good to miss. We look forward to playing a role in the success of the team."
Jaguar XJ Collection
Creating merchandise that reflects the level of care, imagination and innovation that has gone into the all new XJ presents an exciting challenge. Who better to take up that challenge than the team that actually designed the XJ? So Jaguar decided to unite XJ chief designer Giles Taylor, XJ interior designer Mark Phillips, XJ exterior designer Adam Hatton and fellow XJ designers Richard Carter and Nic Finney in a project to develop the perfect products to complement the new car.
"We wanted to create a whole range of merchandise directly inspired by the XJ," explains Adam Hatton. "So we had many design meetings, producing sketches and 3D design models on the Alias 3D computer modelling software that we use for designing actual parts on the cars in the design studio.
"Out of one such meeting came the inspiration to use the detailed design on the JaguarDrive Selector in creating the unique cufflinks, key fob and stick pin in the collection.
"We felt this would give a direct link to the design of the XJ," says Adam. "We used the same ‘XJ’ graphic on the hi-gloss black background on these, and made use of the bright chrome/piano black combination detailing as a strong influence. This represents the car’s interior design, and also references the exterior brightwork/gloss-black theme where the side window surround meets the dark glass and pillar.
"This theme is very strong on the XJ, and we wanted the merchandise to reflect this. It gives an air of elegance, modernity and luxury.
" The design team also worked closely on the creation of the XJ Glass Block and XJ model in the XJ merchandise collection. These were designed by taking 3D data from the full-size XJ and working with the manufacturers to get the models as detailed and accurate as possible.